OAKLAND — Kevin Durant knew the questions were coming, even before he sat in the interview chair. After all, the questions have remained the topic of conversation throughout his 2018-19 season with the Warriors.

Presuming that he opts out of his $31-million player option, where will Durant sign as a free agent next summer? That inquiry had a new twist, given that the Warriors (26-14) were playing host to the New York Knicks (10-30) on Tuesday at Oracle Arena. Those around NBA circles often pin the Knicks as one of Durant’s likely free-agent destinations.

“I have no clue where that stuff comes from. I just focus on playing ball every single day,” Durant said Tuesday following the morning. “I can’t control what people say about me, about my future or what I should do. I just try to come to work every single day. Life will figure itself out for me.”

There are reasons Durant is so often linked to the Knicks.

His business manager, Rich Kleiman, grew up a Knicks fan. Durant has been vocally supportive of Knicks coach David Fizdale. Durant has been complimentary of the Knicks’ young players, dubbing center Kristaps Porzingis as a “unicorn” and praising Knicks rookie forward Kevin Knox. Durant countered, “I have connections everywhere in the United States.”

Durant didn’t signal whether he likes the Knicks’ direction, despite their poor record. After leading the Warriors to a 128-100 victory over the Knicks on Oct. 26 at Madison Square Garden with 41 points, Durant observed the Knicks “were a young team that’s starting to figure it out” and is “giving their all to their coach.”

Since then? Durant maintained he has not paid attention to the Knicks.

“I’m so focused on us the last couple of months,” Durant said. “You see scores, but you can’t really see the pattern on how teams are playing.”

Still, Durant joked he should have copyright royalties for originally calling Porzingis a “unicorn.” Durant also said that Knox has a “bright future.”

“He’s one of the guys having a good year,” Durant said of Knox. “He was injured at start of the season. He’s coming back. [Fizdale] put him in the starting lineup and he’s playing some great minutes. He’s really starting to get a feel for the game. He has a bright future.”

(Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Durant talked more about the Knicks, though, when the Warriors traveled to New York in late October.

Then, Durant admitted not being impressed with the billboard outside of MSG that featured his likeness along with a plea. “Can you make NY Sports Great again?” the sign reads along with Durant and Porzingis wearing Knicks-colored jerseys and holding a Larry O’Brien trophy.

Durant reflected with nostalgia on playing at MSG. He praised Fizdale’s coaching acumen. He downplayed the Knicks’ dysfunction under mercurial owner James Dolan, whose franchise is on pace to miss the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season.

Would Durant become the Knicks savior? The Warriors’ star readily admitted he would rather answer different questions.

(Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

“I wish it was the other way where it was totally about the game, but I get it. Our league has grown so much and there’s more and more popularity around the league,” Durant said. “The sexy thing is what happens in the summer more than what happens in the season. Playoffs and free agency are more of the big things that go on in our league. I get it. But for me personally, I have to focus on playing the game.”

At the beginning of the 2018-19 season, Durant vowed that he would not address his pending free agency. He had long maintained he wanted to simply keep his options open. He could re-sign with the Warriors for up to five years for $221 million. He could agree to another one-plus-one deal in hopes to win another NBA championship next season with the Warriors, which will play at Chase Center in San Francisco. Or Durant could sign elsewhere, with either a young team or one with cap space reserved for him and other stars.

Whatever the case, Durant downplayed in general terms the importance of where he stands among the NBA’s all-time greats.

“It’s cool to be among those talks with the great players. But nowadays that comes from so many people,” Durant said. “It’s hard to pinpoint who has the best list. I try not to worry about that stuff because it’s beyond my control. I appreciate the fans who enjoy and love the game as much as I love it and have a deep admiration for players. But I can only focus on the basketball court and not who’s going to rank me among the top 15 or top 20 players. But it’s cool for conversation as far as fans are concerned.”

Durant also did not offer strong indications on to what degree he remains consumed with winning NBA championships or becoming a team’s franchise player. Consider what he said has made him tick lately.

“For me, I love getting up in the mornings and shooting shots. Every shot to me is pretty cool just to see it go in,” Durant said. “Or for me to miss because I shot so many times. It’s cool to figure some stuff out with my game more than anything else. I’m learning who I am as a player each and every day. That’s the fun part. I’m struggling sometimes and I have great games. I try to tie it all together to be the best player I can be. Once you’re on the court, not everything is going to be perfect. If I don’t feel like I’m shooting well going left, I’ll try to see how I can make that better. If my 3-pointer is not working, I’ll see how I can make it better. That’s the fun part for me now.”

Durant has encountered more challenges than a few missed shots. Warriors forward Draymond Green and Durant had an argument at the end of regulation against the Clippers in Nov. 12. Then, Green brought up Durant’s pending free agency and dared him to leave.

The two have since publicly reconciled, but that has softened the intrigue on to what degree that incident could influence his future, if at all. Durant has won two NBA titles and two Finals MVPs since joining the Warriors as a free agent in 2016, partly because of his talent and partly how he has adjusted his game to accommodate three All-Stars in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Green. But this season, the Warriors have had varying degrees of success in maximizing Curry and Durant without the detriment of the other.

On Tuesday, Durant offered no signs of feeling upset with the Warriors. Durant touted the benefits of fielding four healthy All-Stars in the past month and experimenting with different lineup combinations. Durant also sounded fine with his current role. He has averaged 28.5 points while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 6.2 assists, which are all above his career averages through 12 NBA seasons in points (27.2), field-goal percentage (49.1 percent) and assists (4.0).

“I just try to do what’s required on each possession,” Durant said. “If I get the ball in my hands and somebody is open, I try to find them. If not, I try to be aggressive.”

During Durant’s 10-minute interview, he remained insightful and friendly. Although he gave no hints on his free-agent future, Durant did not become defensive or annoyed with the questions. He seemed to enjoy the give-and-take.

“If you guys ask for me, I got to come talk. If I don’t, I’ll get fined,” Durant said. “So I try to be as honest as I can about the questions and give you what you need for your job, but not say anything out of…”

Durant trailed off and then walked up from the interview chair.

“I’m just leaving,” Durant said. And, to be clear, Durant said he was leaving the interview table. He did not indicate he is leaving the Warriors.